Methods and systems for deployment of privacy curtains

ABSTRACT

A privacy curtain system is described that includes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom, a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with the curtain, and a plurality of rods. Each rod has a lower hooking member configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtain gathering cord is operable to cause the rod engaging members to release from a respective lower hooking member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to privacy curtains, and morespecifically, to methods and systems for deployment of privacy curtains.

Privacy curtains, and more specifically disposable or washable curtains,have long been used, in hospitals for example, to provide privacy, roomdivision, and to cover storage areas to a lesser extent. Generally,these curtains are suspended from a track on a ceiling for operation.For example, the curtains can be operated to substantially surround apatient's bed for privacy, and retracted at other times when privacy isnot an issue.

Most of these curtains have two portions, namely, an upper meshcomponent and a lower opaque component. The upper mesh component istypically above eye level so the privacy function is not compromised.This mesh component is not necessarily required, however, the opaqueportion cannot extend to the ceiling. Generally, the opaque portioncannot extend to the ceiling because if it did, it is possible that itwould interfere with ceiling mounted sprinklers in the event of a firebecause the water from the sprinklers cannot pass through the opaquematerial. Other reasons that mesh portions are generally incorporatedare that they ensure that the opaque portion of the curtain does notinterfere with lighting and/or air circulation.

In the hospital application, the curtains become soiled and can collectone or of bacteria, molds, and viruses during use. This can be a sourceof cross-contamination, for example, from one patient to one or more ofanother patient, a health care provider or other staff, and a visitor tothe hospital. Unfortunately, hospital curtains are also typicallydifficult to change and/or wash. Generally, if the curtain is providedin a single, combined mesh portion/opaque portion embodiment, someonehas to gain access to the ceiling level of the room to change thecurtain. This is difficult, labor intensive, and generally requires thata ladder of some type be used.

There are some known two piece curtains. Generally, the opaque portionis separated from the mesh portion and a new opaque portion is attachedto the existing mesh portion. While this addresses the need for aladder, it is still labor intensive and does not address the possibilitythat the mesh portion retains one or more of the above describedcontaminants. With respect to the labor required for replacement, theperson making the replacement with this type of curtain has to make aplurality of attachments between the opaque and mesh portions whileholding the replacement opaque portion of the curtain, or has to operatea zipper or similar device that extends the entire length of thecurtain. At least one of the problems with this type of arrangement isthat the mesh portion or similar mechanism is generally not in a fixedposition, adding to the difficulty of curtain replacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a privacy curtain system is provided that includes acurtain having a plurality of rod engaging members extending therefrom,a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with the curtain, and aplurality of rods. The plurality of rods each includes a lower hookingmember configured to engage one of the rod engaging members. The curtaingathering cord is operable to cause the rod engaging members to releasefrom a respective lower hooking member.

In another aspect, a privacy curtain is provided that includes a curtainmain portion and a plurality of rod engaging members. The rod engagingmembers each include a first end and a second end. The second ends areattached to the curtain main portion and the first ends are releasablyattached to the curtain main portion.

In still another aspect, a system for the deployment of privacy curtainsis provided. The system includes a track system and a plurality of rods.Each rod includes a lower hooking member configured to engage theprivacy curtain, an upper track engagement member configured forattachment to the track system, an elongated central member extendingfrom the upper track engagement member, and a lower nestable memberbetween the lower hooking member and the elongated central member. Thelower nestable member includes at least one magnet encased therein. Themagnets such oriented such that when the plurality of rods aresubstantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacycurtain, the magnets operate to maintain the substantially adjacentpositioning.

In yet another aspect, a privacy curtain system is provided thatincludes a curtain having a plurality of rod engaging members extendingtherefrom, a curtain gathering cord slidably engaged with the curtain,and a plurality of rods. Each rod includes a lower hooking memberconfigured to engage one of the rod engaging members, an upper trackengagement member configured for attachment to a ceiling mounted tracksystem, and an elongated central member extending between the uppertrack engagement member and the lower hooking member. The curtaingathering cord is operable to release respective rod engaging membersfrom respective lower hooking members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a known privacy curtain system.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a hanger assembly from which a privacycurtain is suspended.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a privacy curtain systemthat incorporates a gathering cord for removal of the privacy curtainfrom a plurality of rods.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a rod engaging member utilized to attach aprivacy curtain to a rod suspended from a ceiling track, along withoperation of the rod engaging members.

FIG. 5 illustrates operation of the ribbon loop and the binding cordwith respect to the attachment of a privacy curtain to a rod.

FIG. 6 illustrates utilization of the gathering cord to release aprivacy curtain from a plurality of rods through operation of aplurality of rod engaging members.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a privacy curtain that incorporatesintegrally formed rod engaging members.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of a rod that may be utilized tohang a curtain from a ceiling mounted track system.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the rod of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several of the rods described withrespect to FIGS. 8 and 9 in a substantially adjacent position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known privacy curtain 10. Curtain 10includes an upper mesh portion 12 and a lower opaque portion 14 that issuspended from the upper mesh portion 12. The lower opaque portion 14 isremovable from the upper mesh portion 12. As described above, the uppermesh portion is constructed in part from a mesh material to allow forlighting, air circulation, and the operation of fire sprinklers. Thelower opaque portion is constructed from an opaque material to provideprivacy when the curtain 10 is in an extended position. The curtain 10is suspended from a track 20 attached to a ceiling 22 as is well known.In this example, the upper mesh portion 12 of curtain 10 and the loweropaque portion 14 include a series of mating fasteners 30. The matingfasteners 30 are provided to removably suspend the lower opaque portion14 from the upper mesh portion 12. The upper mesh portion 12 isconfigured with reinforced holes 18 which are engaged by hooks (notshown) hanging from track 20.

As discussed above, conventional privacy curtains tend to become soiledand are prone to contamination with one or more bacteria, mold, andviruses. To address this issue, the lower opaque portion 14 may bedisposable, and can be changed as often as necessary to address theissues noted above. Since the lower opaque portion 14 provides theprivacy function, the upper mesh portion 12 is suspended near theceiling and is, therefore, not in a position where it is less likely topresent the cross-contamination risk associated with the lower opaqueportion 14. Therefore, the upper mesh portion 12 need not be changednearly as frequently as the lower opaque portion 14.

While the configuration of FIG. 1 addresses many known problems, somestill exist. One, it cannot be assured that the upper mesh portion 12 isfree from the contamination described above. Two, while the fasteners 30may be at a comfortable work level, it is still difficult for personnelto attach a replacement lower opaque portion 14 to the upper meshportion 12. This difficulty is due to the fact that the area of uppermesh portion 12 where the fasteners 30 are located is prone to movementas it is distant from the engagement of the upper mesh portion 12 withthe track 20.

At least one other privacy curtain system has addressed thecontamination issue by replacing the upper mesh portion 12 with a seriesof rods. This provides the lighting and fire sprinkler capabilitieswhile still addressing the contamination issue. Examples of thesesystems are shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, a hanger assembly 50 is illustrated that isconfigured for the suspending of a curtain 52 similar to the loweropaque portion 14 shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of rods 54 extend downfrom a track 60 that is attached to a ceiling 62. While the assembly ofFIG. 2 has several features, one feature that is common with the curtainsystem of FIG. 1 is that a lower end 70 of the rods 54 is relativelyfree to move with respect to a user, as it can essentially pivot aboutits upper end 72. In addition, the rods 54, especially at the lower end70 are free to move with respect to each other. This freedom of movementcauses difficulty for the person removing an old curtain 52 andinstalling a new curtain 52 at the lower end.

Another issue with the system of FIG. 2 is that curtain 52 has to beremoved from each rod 54 individually, and a new curtain 52 has to beattached to each rod 54 individually as individual hooks 80, engagedwith the lower end 70 of rods 54 are utilized to attach curtain 52 torods 54. Generally, when a person replaces one of curtains 10 and 52,they have to gather up the curtain in their arms to control the bulk ofthe curtain while they detach the curtain from the rod or upper meshportion. While it may never be possible to completely eliminatepersonnel contact with soiled and/or contaminated curtains, it ispossible to reduce the amount of contact between the two as furtherexplained herein.

The following descriptions, and accompanying figures, are related toembodiments that address some of the issues described above with respectto the removal of old privacy curtains, and the subsequent attachment ofnew privacy curtains.

More specifically, FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of acurtain system 100. Curtain system 100 includes a curtain 102, and aplurality of rods 104 that extend from tracked hooks 106 which arelocated within a track 110 of the type that is attached to a ceiling(not shown). The tracked hooks 106 are capable of lateral movementwithin the track 110 for the purpose of opening and closing the curtain102. When the curtain 102 is open, the rods 104 are in a positionsubstantially adjacent one another, as further addressed below. Thisposition may also be referred to as having the curtain 102 in a gatheredposition. When the curtain 102 is closed the rods 104 are moved from thesubstantially adjacent position to a configuration where they aresubstantially spread out along the length of the track 110. Thisposition may also be referred to as having the curtain 102 in a deployedposition. In one embodiment, a binding cord 112 extends between the rods104 and is secured to each of the rods 104. As it is secured to each ofthe rods 104, binding cord 112 operates to dictate a maximum distancebetween the individual rods 104. As addressed in detail below, rodengaging members 120 are secured within the curtain 102 and areconfigured to engage a lower end 122 of the rods 104. The engagementbetween a rod engaging member 120 and a respective lower end 122 may beany type of mechanical configuration, several of which are describedbelow.

In the illustrated embodiment, the curtain 102 is also configured with acurtain gathering cord 130. While curtain gathering cord 130 may beoperative to gather the curtain 102, as further illustrated in thefollowing figures, curtain gathering cord 130 is further operative torelease the curtain 102 from the rods 104. In the illustratedembodiment, and in other embodiments described hereafter, the curtainsare fabricated from either a disposable material or a material that maybe reused after a cleaning process.

FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate one embodiment of a rod engaging member150 that can be utilized with a curtain of the type described withrespect to FIG. 3. The embodiment of rod engaging member 150 shown inFIGS. 4A-4D may sometimes be referred to as a looped ribbon. Asillustrated in FIG. 4A, the rod engaging member 150 is elongated and hasa loop 152 formed in a first end 154, and a slot 156 therethrough formednear a second end 158. The rod engaging member 150 is fabricated from amaterial, and the loop 152 is sized so that when the rod engaging member150 is bent into a substantially circular configuration, at least aportion of the first end 154 containing the loop 152 will pass throughthe slot 156 formed near the second end 158. As shown in FIG. 4C, once aportion of the loop 152 is extending through slot 156, a gathering cord160 can be passed through the loop 152, retaining a position of the loop152 with respect to the slot 156. A completed configuration shown inFIG. 4D as the engagement of the first end 154 with the second end 158forms a hoop which can engage a rod as further described with respect toFIG. 5. As further described, gathering cord 160 can be grasped andpulled by a user such that the cord is no longer within the loop 152,the loop is then free to move away from the slot 156. When a pluralityof such rod engaging members 150 are deployed with a curtain, removal ofthe gathering cord 160 from the rod engaging members 150 will operate torelease the curtain from the apparatus from which it hung. Thisoperation is described in further detail herein. An optional end ring162 may be attached to the gathering cord 160 to allow a user to moreeasily pull the gathering cord 160 through, and from, a curtain. Asshown in subsequent figures, and as mentioned above, operation of thegathering cord 160 allows a user to easily remove a curtain from aplurality of the rods 104 described above with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates one of the rod engaging members 150 (ribbon loops)from FIG. 4, where the second end 158 is attached to a curtain 170. Thefirst end 154 passes through slot 156 and a least a portion of thesurface of the curtain 170. Gathering cord 160 is secured within achannel 172 formed in the curtain material that is formed during thefabrication process associated with curtain 170. The fabrication processmay include attaching the second ends 158 of the rod engaging members150 to the curtain material through, for example, a stitching process orthrough a heat activated attachment process. The channel 172 may beformed through the stitching process, the heat treatment process orthrough another process. In any event, when the curtain fabricationprocess is complete, the gathering cord 160 is slidably engaged with thecurtain 170 and the gathering cord 160 passes through the loops 152 ofthe rod engaging members 150 to form the ribbon loops as shown in FIG.4D. Such a configuration allows the curtain 170 to be hung from aplurality of rods 104. After the utilization of curtain 170 is complete,and as can be seen in FIG. 5, when the gathering cord 160 is pulled fromengagement with the curtain 170, loop 152 will release from slot 156,and gravity will cause the curtain 170 and attached rod engaging members150 to fall away from the lower ends 122 of a plurality of rods 104. Inone embodiment, the gathering cord 160 may include a second end 164 thatis utilized for gathering the curtain 170 when the gathering cord isoperated. In one embodiment, the second end 164 is simply attached tothe curtain material during the curtain fabrication process to enablethis operation. This attachment is easily overcome to enable the removalof curtain 170 from the rods 104 as described.

FIG. 6 provides further illustration utilizing an alternative embodimentof rod 190 and rod lower end 192. In FIG. 6, pulling the end ring 162 ofgathering cord 160 causes the curtain 170 to gather. Pulling further onthe end ring 162, and thus gathering cord 160, causes the rod engagingmembers 150 to release the curtain 170 from the rods 190 as shown. Therelease from the curtain 170 happens as the gathering cord 160 isremoved from engagement with the individual rod engaging members 150,causing the separation of loop 152 and slot 156 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4Dand FIG. 5. The benefit of such a configuration is that the curtain 170is gathered and all of the interfaces between curtain 170 and rods 190are released relatively close to simultaneously, and the curtain 170 canfall onto the floor or into a container. In one contemplated embodiment,packaging for the replacement curtain 170 includes a container for thedisposal of the curtain 170 that is being replaced. The person changingthe curtain does not have to personally gather and hold the curtain 170and therefore their exposure to germs and the like is thought to bereduced as they, at most, have to carefully remove the curtain 170 beingreplaced from the floor, rather then essentially hugging the entirecurtain 170 as is currently done when removing a curtain 170.

In a practical application, the curtain 170 is provided in packagingthat is operable to expose the rod engaging members 150 such that theycan be engaged with the rods 190 prior to the exposure of a remainder ofthe curtain 170 from the packaging. In one embodiment, the curtain 170is sterilized and the packaging maintains the sterilization until it isopened.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a curtain 200which incorporates integrally formed rod engaging members 202 in aone-piece configuration. In such a configuration, material is cut awayfrom the curtain 200 in the fabrication process to form the rod engagingmembers 202. One example of such a fabrication process is a die cuttingprocess. Rod engaging members 202 are elongated and each has a loop 204formed in a first end 206, and a second end 208 that adjacent to themain portion 210 of the curtain 200. As curtains 200 and rod engagingmembers 202 are in a one-piece configuration, the rod engaging members202 are fabricated from the same material as the remainder of thecurtain 200. The first end 206, which includes loop 204, is sized sothat when the rod engaging member 202 is bent into a substantiallycircular configuration, at least a portion of the first end 206containing the loop 204 will pass through a slot 212, formed in the mainportion 210 of the curtain, near an intersection with the second end208. As illustrated, curtain 200 includes two end portions 220, whichare folded over and attached to the main portion 210 of the curtain 200to provide reinforcement for the sides 222 of the curtain 200.

Like the above described embodiment, curtain 200 may be utilized with agathering cord (not shown) that can be passed through the loop 204,retaining a position of the loop 204 with respect to the slot 212. In apractical application, the curtain 200 is provided in packaging that isoperable to expose the rod engaging members 202 such that they can beengaged with the rods 104 prior to the exposure of a remainder of saidcurtain.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of a rod 300 that may beutilized to hang the curtains 170 and 200 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7respectively) from a ceiling mounted track system. Specifically, rod 300includes a lower hooking member 302 for engaging the rod engagingmembers 150 and 202, and elongated central member 304, and an uppertrack engagement member 306 that is utilized to attach the rod 300 to aceiling mounted tracking system of the type previously described herein.The elongated central member 304 extends between the upper trackengagement member 306 and the lower hooking member 302.

Rod 300 is configured to address the problems present in known curtainattachment systems by incorporating mechanisms that retain multiple rodsin a substantially adjacent orientation for the removal of old curtainsand attachment of new curtains. Specifically, and in the illustratedembodiment, an upper nestable member 310 is included between the uppertrack engagement member 306 and the elongated central member 304 and alower nestable member 312 is included between the lower hooking member302 and the elongated central member 304.

In one embodiment, both the upper nestable member 310 and the lowernestable member 312 incorporate a series of magnets 320, 322, 324, and326 encased therein. The upper nestable member 310 is formed to includeboth a side wall indentation 330 in a first side wall 332 and a sidewall protrusion 334 in a second side wall 336 that is opposite the firstside wall 332. Likewise, the lower nestable member 312 is formed toinclude both a side wall indentation 340 in a first side wall 342 and aside wall protrusion 344 in a second side wall 346 that is opposite thefirst side wall 342. The configurations of the upper nestable member 310and the lower nestable member 312 may be different that the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, but all are common in that they eachincorporate at least one magnet that is oriented such that it helps tomaintain multiple rods 300 in a position substantially adjacent oneanother when changing a curtain.

In addition, multiple configurations are possible for side wallprotrusions and indentations. The configurations are common in that theyprovide simple keyed surfaces and a non-binding shape to help maintainthe substantial adjacent positioning, and make the encased magnets thatmuch more effective for maintaining the described substantially adjacentpositioning for the rods 300.

A specific embodiment for lower hooking member 302 is illustrated inFIG. 8. Specifically, a curtain engaging portion 350 of lower hookingmember 302 is configured with a cross-section that is somewhat J-shaped.Extending from the side walls 342 and 346 is a semi-circular member 352which terminates in a curtain retention member 354 that extends from thesemi-circular member 352 at substantially a right angle. The result is aslot 360 formed between the curtain retention member 354 and theremainder of the lower hooking member 302. The rod engaging membersassociated with a curtain are passed through slot 360 for attachment ofa curtain to the rods 300. In one embodiment, a barb 362 protrudes fromthe curtain engaging portion 350 towards the curtain retention member354 further narrowing slot 360. Slot 360 opens to an enlarged opening364 within which the rod engaging members are deployed upon passingthrough slot 360. The resulting configuration is such that a rodengaging member easily passes through slot 360 since the rod engagingmember is fabricated from a flexible material. However, the barb 362 andthe curtain retention member 354 are shaped such that slot 360 graduallynarrows until such point as the slot 360 interfaces with the enlargedopening 364. This configuration operates to reduce a likelihood of a rodengaging member of a curtain from passing back through slot 360 from theenlarged opening 364.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of several rods 300 in the substantiallyadjacent position. Each of the rods 300 incorporates the featuresdescribed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. In one aspect, curtain 200operates to dictate a maximum distance between any two rods 300 whenthey are separated from one another. In other words, when a userprovides a force that overcomes the force provided by the encasedmagnets, such as would be applied by a user to deploy a curtain, thecurtain 200 operates to constrain how far apart the rods may bepositioned.

More importantly, however, incorporation of the various magnetembodiments described with respect to FIG. 9 within the rods 300 providea much needed help to a user when installing a new curtain.Specifically, and as shown in FIG. 10, by maintaining the plurality ofrods 300 substantially adjacent to one another, it is much easier forthe user to place the individual rod engaging members (rod engagingmembers 202 are shown in FIG. 10) onto the lower hooking members 302 ofthe rods 300. The ease is provided because the rods are not free topivot with respect to one another and slide along a track with respectto one another as they are in certain known privacy curtainconfigurations.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1. A privacy curtain system comprising: a curtain comprising a pluralityof rod engaging members extending therefrom; a curtain gathering cordslidably engaged with said curtain; and a plurality of rods eachcomprising a lower hooking member configured to engage one of said rodengaging members, said curtain gathering cord operable to cause said rodengaging members to release from respective said lower hooking members.2. A privacy curtain system according to claim 1 where said rod engagingmembers each comprise: a loop formed proximate to a first end of saidrod engaging member; a second end attached to said curtain andcomprising a slot formed proximate thereto and extending therethrough,said loop configured to extend through said slot as said rod engagingmember is bent into a substantially circular configuration, said curtaingathering cord extending through said loop to retain a position of saidloop with respect to said slot.
 3. A privacy curtain system according toclaim 2 wherein said curtain gathering cord is operable to be removedfrom said curtain such that when said cord is no longer within saidloops, said loops are free to move back through the respective said slotand subsequently release said curtain from said lower hooking members.4. (canceled)
 5. A privacy curtain system according to claim 2 wheresaid rod engaging members and said curtain are integrally formed from asingle piece of material.
 6. A privacy curtain system according to claim1 wherein said curtain is provided in a package.
 7. A privacy curtainsystem according to claim 1 wherein said curtain is provided in apackage, said package operable to expose said rod engaging members suchthat they can be engaged with said lower hooking members prior to theexposure of a remainder of said curtain.
 8. A privacy curtaincomprising: a curtain main portion; and a plurality of rod engagingmembers comprising a first end and a second end, said second endsattached to said curtain main portion, said first ends releasablyattached to said curtain main portion.
 9. A privacy curtain according toclaim 8 comprising a curtain gathering cord, said curtain gathering cordslidably engaged with said curtain and operable to cause said first endsto release from said curtain main portion.
 10. A privacy curtainaccording to claim 9 wherein: said first end comprises a loop formedproximate thereto; and said second end comprises a slot formed proximatethereto and extending therethrough, said loop configured to extendthrough said slot to form a hoop, said curtain gathering cord extendingthrough said loop to retain a position of said loop with respect to saidslot.
 11. A privacy curtain according to claim 10 wherein said curtaingathering cord is operable to be removed from said curtain main portionsuch that when said cord no longer extends through said loops, saidloops are free to move back through the respective said slot.
 12. Aprivacy curtain according to claim 8 where said rod engaging members andsaid curtain main portion are integrally formed from a single piece ofmaterial.
 13. A cubicle curtain according to claim 8 wherein saidcurtain comprises packaging operable for disposal of another curtain.14. A system for the deployment of privacy curtains comprising: a tracksystem; and a plurality of rods each comprising: a lower hooking memberconfigured to engage the privacy curtain; an upper track engagementmember configured for attachment to said track system; an elongatedcentral member extending from said upper track engagement member; and alower nestable member between said lower hooking member and saidelongated central member, said lower nestable member comprising at leastone magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that when saidplurality of rods are substantially adjacent one another for thechanging of a privacy curtain, said magnets operate to maintain thesubstantially adjacent positioning.
 15. A system according to claim 14wherein each said rod comprises an upper nestable member between saidupper track engagement member and said elongated central member, saidupper nestable member comprising at least one magnet encased therein,said magnets oriented such that they help to maintain said plurality ofrods substantially adjacent one another for the changing of a privacycurtain.
 16. A system according to claim 15 wherein each said uppernestable member comprises a first side wall and a second side wall, saidside walls each comprising a keyed surface, said keyed surfaceconfigured to help maintain substantial adjacent positioning of two saidrods.
 17. A system according to claim 16 wherein said keyed surfacecomprises an indentation in said first side wall and a protrusionextending from said second side wall.
 18. A system according to claim 14wherein each said lower nestable member comprises a first side wall anda second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyed surface,said keyed surface configured to help maintain substantial adjacentpositioning of two said rods.
 19. A system according to claim 18 whereinsaid keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall anda protrusion extending from said second side wall.
 20. A privacy curtainsystem comprising: a curtain comprising a plurality of rod engagingmembers extending therefrom; a curtain gathering cord slidably engagedwith said curtain; and a plurality of rods each comprising: a lowerhooking member configured to engage one of said rod engaging members; anupper track engagement member configured for attachment to a ceilingmounted track system; and an elongated central member extending betweensaid upper track engagement member and said lower hooking member, saidcurtain gathering cord operable to release said rod engaging membersfrom respective said lower hooking members.
 21. A privacy curtain systemaccording to claim 20 where said rod engaging members each comprise: afirst end comprising a loop formed thereabout; a second end attached tosaid curtain and comprising a slot formed thereabout and extendingtherethrough, said loop configured to extend through said slot as saidrod engaging member is bent into a substantially circular configuration,said curtain gathering cord passed through said loop to retain aposition of said loop with respect to said slot.
 22. A privacy curtainsystem according to claim 21 wherein said curtain gathering cord isoperable to be removed from said curtain such that when said cord is nolonger within said loops, said loops are free to move back through therespective said slot and subsequently release said curtain from saidlower hooking members.
 23. (canceled)
 24. A privacy curtain systemaccording to claim 21 where said rod engaging members and said curtainare integrally formed from a single piece of material.
 25. A privacycurtain system according to claim 20 comprising a package for saidcurtain, said package operable to expose said rod engaging members suchthat they can be engaged with said lower hooking members prior to theexposure of a remainder of said curtain.
 26. A privacy curtain systemaccording to claim 20 wherein each said rod comprises a lower nestablemember between said lower hooking member and said elongated centralmember, said lower nestable member comprising at least one magnetencased therein, said magnets oriented such that they help to maintainsaid plurality of rods substantially adjacent one another duringreplacement of said curtain.
 27. A privacy curtain system according toclaim 26 wherein each said lower nestable member comprises a first sidewall and a second side wall, said side walls each comprising a keyedsurface, said keyed surfaces configured to help maintain substantialadjacent positioning of two said rods during replacement of saidcurtain.
 28. A privacy curtain system according to claim 27 wherein saidkeyed surfaces comprise an indentation in said first side wall and aprotrusion extending from said second side wall.
 29. A privacy curtainsystem according to claim 20 wherein each said rod comprises an uppernestable member between said upper track engagement member and saidelongated central member, said upper nestable member comprising at leastone magnet encased therein, said magnets oriented such that they help tomaintain said plurality of rods substantially adjacent one anotherduring replacement of said curtain.
 30. A privacy curtain systemaccording to claim 29 wherein each said upper nestable member comprisesa first side wall and a second side wall, said side walls eachcomprising a keyed surface, said keyed surfaces configured to helpmaintain substantial adjacent positioning of two said rods duringreplacement of said curtain.
 31. A privacy curtain system according toclaim 30 wherein said keyed surfaces comprise an indentation in saidfirst side wall and a protrusion extending from said second side wall.